Stapling machine



Sept l2, 1950 c. z. MoNRoE 2,521,935

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1946- 1o sheets-sheet 1 C. Z. MONROESTAPLING MACHINE 5 3 ow m 5. 2

Slept. 12, 1950 l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 17, 1946 mgmnunmnl un Sept12, 1950 c. z. MONROE 2,521,935

STAPLING MACHINE Sept. v12, 1950 c. z. M oNR'o'E 2,521,935'

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 194e 1o sheets-sheet 4 Sept. 12, 1950 c.z. MONROE STAPLING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 17, 1946 @yE--Illlll Sept. 12, 1950 c. z. MONROE 2,521,935

STAPLING MACHINE C. Z. MONROE STAPLING MACHINE sept. 12,1950

10 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Deo. 17, 1946 @1.7.2014, 0014, www# im@ a Sept.12, 1950 c. z. MONROE 2,521,935

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 194eio sheets-sheet a 2;; z/z f l f2'ifi l@ iff/z y Z55 2v/ 2W M ya [Z 5/25. faam@ N 252// /'I .z' -E Z- if],zz /zf f7 J 252 faz 2,26 /ff Sept 12., 1950 c. z. MoNRoE. 2,521,935

sTAPLING MACHINE Filed Deo. 17, 1946 .1.0 Sheets-Sheet 9 E55. /EA

Sept. l2, 1950 c. z. MONROE STAPLING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 FiledDec. 17, 1946 i Patented Sept. 12, 1950 STAPLING MACHINE Charles Z.Monroe, Detroit, Mich., assigner to The Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application December 17, 1946, SerialNo. 716,761

2s claim. 1

This invention relates to stapling machines and more particularly tomachines forforming staples from wire and applying them to successivemulti-ply units of sheet material, such as paper, in order to secure thelayers together; as for example in fastening or securing the closure ofa paper or paste-board container.

The novel and improved stapling machine which comprises the subjectmatter of the present invention, while applicable to a variety o f usesin the mechanical arts, is intended primarily for the purpose ofsecuring together the plies of folded material which comprise the topclosure rib of a paraffin coated paper bottle, for example, one of thetype disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,047,891, granted on July14, 1936 to Henry T. Scott.

A stapling machine for use for similar purposes is disclosed in PatentNo.,2,063,345 granted to Henry T. Scott on December 8, 1936, and it isthe broad purpose and object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved-mechanism of the general type disclosed in that patent, butwhich is adapted for operation on articles, such as paper bottles, fedto the machine continuously rather than in step-by-step fashion.

In its more particular aspects, the present invention contemplates theprovision of a continuous stapling machine adapted to constitute anoperative unit in the fully automatic container making and iillingsystem disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 638,809, filed January 3, 1946', covering anvapparatus for'and method of fabricatingpaper containers. In this system, the containers, in the form of paperbottles, are delivered from the bottle forming machines to the chargingdevice by which they are filled with milk or other fluent material. andthence to closing and sealing machines. The forming machines arearranged either singly or in tandem or multiple, whereby the capacity ofthe installation may be varied rather widely; and when running atmaximum capacity the appropriate units must be such as to charge thefluid at a high rate without spillage, and to close, seal, and staplethe filled containers properly at an equally high speed of operation.

The stapling machine illustrated and described in the presentapplication is adapted to perform one of the last operations in thesequence of steps from the squaring out of the tubular paper blanks tothe iinal delivery of the iilled and sealed bottle, and it maycontribute toward a fuller understanding of the invention if the unitsof the installation which precede the stapler are briey referred to.Certain of the machines for forming the containers are shown in thepatent to Bennett et al., No. 2,217,784, and also in my Patent No.2,399,934. Machines for coating the bottles with parafln or the like andfor cooling the coated bottles are disclosed respectively in the patentsto James T. Earp, Nos, 2,289,763 and 2,382,619. After these operations,the upper portions of the containers are partially folded alongpreviously formed score lines and machines for performing this operationare disclosed in the Bennett Patent No. 2,144,283 of January 17, 1939,and Patent No. 2,410,587, granted to the present applicant on November5, 1946.

A continuously driven conveyor or, in case of the use of multipleforming units, a plurality of merging conveyors. serves to feed thebottles serially to a continuously operating charging or fillingmachine, which may well be one of the type disclosed in the Spurr PatentNo, 2,353,519, of July 1l, 1944. In passing from the charging machine,the line of filled bottles moves expeditiously along the conveyorthrough a closing device (which may be for example one such as disclosedin either of the patents to Wollenweber No. 2,156,037 or Scott No.2,085,478) to the stapiing machine comprising the subject of the presentapplication.

It is therefore the primary object of the invention to provide aneflicient stapling niachine of the class described which is rapid inoperation and of enlarged capacity being capable of acting upon articlesfed through it with a continuous advancing movement.

In the pursuit of this object, the invention contemplates the provisionof a number of novel features and combinations of elements whichfacilitate the stapling operation, the handling of the containerspassing through the machine, the intermittent feeding of thel wire tothe cutoff and staple forming mechanism, and the interrupting of thewire feed at times when there are no containers on the conveyor at theentrance to the machine.

Not the least of these improvements is the novel arrangement whereby aplurality of sea,sai,oss

3 gential or chordal position at that portion of their endless pathwhere the staple-forming wire is received and cut off.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from thefollowing specincation when read in connection withthe accompanyingdrawings in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by wayof example.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a stapling machineembodying the principles of the invention:

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the machine with the cover removed;

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section taken on line l-t of Figure 1and showing the staple wire feeding rollers or disks;

Figure 4 is a similar view taken on line 4-4 of Figure l and showing thetransmission gearing for the wire feed;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken on line 5-5 ofFigure 2, and showing the intermittent feed for the staple wire supply;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary View in horizontal section taken on line 1-1of Figure 6 Figure 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on anenlarged scale, taken on line l-I of Figure 1, and showing the clutchdevice for interrupting the wire feed drive Figure 9 is a fragmentaryview in vertical section taken on line 9 9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a composite view illustrating the actuation of the wirefeed interrupting clutch, the left-hand portion of the figure being inplan and showing the container actuated maintaining element adjacent theconveyor track, and the right-hand portion of the figure being ahorizontal section taken on line IO-il of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view of the rotary staplingmechanism and the cam track for actuating the pivoted retractableclinching members, taken on line Il-Ii of Figure l looking upwardly asindicated by the arrows;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken on line |2--i2of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view on line iI-il of Figure l,showing the cam track and cam followers for swinging the stapling unitsinto and out of their radial positions as they move from the cuttingstation to the container stapling station and back again;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section of the deviceshowing a stapler unit at the wire feeding and cut-off station, thesection being taken substantially on line M--il of Figure 1;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken on line I5-I5of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a view in perspective of'an outside former element of astapler unit, which is adapted to shear off a length of wire and to bendit into' the U-shaped form of a staple;

Figure 17 is a similar view of a cooperating drive element forming apart of a stapler unit and serving to drive the staple through thefolded rib of the container;

Figures 18, 19, 20, and 21 are horizontal sectional views takensubstantially on line Il-Il of Figure 1, and showing successivepositions of the parts of a stapler unit in the process of cutting ofi'a length of wire and forming a staple:

Figure 22 is a view in transverse section across the stapler unit andtaken on line 22-22 of Figure 18;

Figure 23 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 23-22 of Figure 2,through the meting sears and disks of the first wire feed unit;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section taken on line24-2! of Figure 23;

Figure 25 is a detail view in vertical section through certain others ofthe feed disks and driving gears therefor, and taken on line Il-Il ofFigures 2 and 4;

Figure 28 is a detail view in vertical section througnthe detector armcontrolling the clutching devices for feeding the wire, and the supportfor said arm, and taken on line Il-It of Figure 10;

Figure 27 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section showing one of thestaple clinching members in bottom plan as it appears in its operativeposition at the stapling station, said `section being takensubstantially online 21-21 of Figure l2;

Figure 28 is a view in side elevation of a clincher member, as viewedfrom the left-hand side oi Figure 27;

Figure 29 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a radius ofthe driving hub and the carrier for the stapler and clincher units, andtaken substantially on line II-Zl of Figure ll; and

Figure 30 is a view in perspective of a paper container of theself-supporting type commonly used as milk bottles, and exemplifying thekind of container adapted to be handled by the stapling machinedescribed herein.

For an understanding of the general arrangement of the machine, therelative positioning of the principal parts, and its interrelation withthe conveyor installation, reference is made to Figures 1 and 2 of thedrawings. The stapling machine as a whole is'indicated generally by thereference numeral il! and it is associated with the conveyor track l Ialong which the containers Z move from the forming and filling units.through the stapler, and on toward the delivery point. Figure 2 showsthat the stapling machine is located within a loo-p or bight of theconveyor track il and, as will be understood as the descriptionproceeds, the stapling steps are accomplished upon each container whileit is passing around the substantially semi-circular portion of the runof the conveyor within the confines of the stapling machine I il.

Referring now more particularly to Figure l of the drawings, it will beseen that the machine I II is mounted upon a base casting I2 whichcomprises a hollow framework adapted to support the stapling machine andthat portion of the conveyor which is associated therewith.

The upper wall of the base casing I! is provided with an elongatedopening Il within which is received the downwardly extending axialportion I5 of the pedestal element I8. This pedestal is provided with ashelf-like extension I'I which provides support for the conveyor trackIl as it curves around the stapling unit. The track H is provided with alateral extension il to a flange ofwhich there is bolted a side guardmember Il along which the containers Z are guided around thearcuatepathv of the conveyor.

Through the center of the pedestal Il there passes a hollow tubular stemor post 20 which is rigidly clamped to the supporting pedestal It bymeans of the bolted split tubular portion Il' thereof, this portionbeing disposed within the hollow base casting I2. The post 2l extendsupwardly from the base and the supporting pedestal and provides meansfor supporting the stapling agaaaoas l machine or stapler head I and anaxle for the sprockets about which the conveyor chains are trained. Thusthe upward portion of the post 25 is provided with a ange 2i to which isbolted the horizontal web or partition 22 which is an integral part ofthe `housing casting 25 of .the stapler I5. The web 22 is provided witha downwardly extending hollow boss 25 through which the connecting boltsor screws 21 pass, these bolts serving to rigidly secure the staplerhousing to the post 25.

A rotary hub member 55 is adapted to revolve around an intermediateportion of the post 25. a bearing bushing 5I being interposed betweenthese members. Keyed `to the hub 55 are the upper and lower sprockets 52and 55 which are separated one from the other by means of the ring 54.Beneath the lower sprocket 55 there is disposed a skirt 55 which issecured to the hub 35 and serves to surround and protect theanti-friction thrust bearing 36 disposed between the hub 55 and thepedestal I6. f

The conveyor proper consists of the pair of superposed chains 40 whichare trained about the sprockets 52 and 55 and follow generally the pathof the conveyor track i I. In this connection-reference is made toFigures 1 and 10 of the drawings. The chain 45 comprises links 4| whichare pivotally connected by means of pins 42 about which the sprocketengaging rollers 43 are disposed. Spaced pairs of pins 42 are extendeddownwardly to receive and support the conveyor ilights 45 and 45. Theseflights are roughly L- shaped in configuration and comprise a rearwardlydisposed projecting arm or blade 41 and a forwardly disposed projectioncr lip 48. The rear arm 41 of the upper flight 45 is displaced upwardlyas clearly indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings, whereas thecorresponding arms 41 and 45 of the lower flight 45 are substantiallycoplanar. The rear arms 41 of both flights serve to engage the rear wallof successive containers Z and push them along the track H, the outerguard rail i5 serving to keep the containers in alignment. The forwardlip 45 aids in preventing the displacement of the containers, especiallywhen rounding the curve within the stapling area. Lateral protuberances-45 may be formed on the body portion of the flights 45 and 45 to givespaced point contact with the inside wall of the container.

Although the stapling machine may be driven from its own source of thepower, independently of the drive of the complete container-sealingorganization, in the illustrated embodiment the stapler takes itsdriving power from the conveyor itself. The conveyor chains 45 aredriven from a remote source (not shown), and the chains 45 drive thesprockets 32 and 33 which are keyed to the hub 35 which is adapted torotate about the axial post 25.

As the containers Z move around the substantially semi-circular orbitwithin the stapling zone. the crimped and folded top rib portions Rformed at the peak of the root-like closure section S of the containeris moved about the stapler within the zone of operation of the staplermechanism proper, which is given the general reference character A. Theoperative details of the stapler mechanism will be describedhereinafter, but it is sufficient to state at this point that themechanism comprises basically the tum-table 55 which carries a pluralityof individual stapler members or units B adapted to move about the axisof the machine and to perform the stapling operation upon the successivecontainers Z as they pass at substantially uniform velocity around thetrack il within the machine. The turntable 55 is rotatably mounted uponthe vertical hollow post 25 being separated therefrom'by means of thecylindrical bearing bushing 5I. The turn-table or stapler carrier 50 isspaced above the rotary hub 50 and is adapted to be driven thereby. Forthis purpose (see Figures l1 and 29) upwardly projecting lugs 55 areformed as vertical extensions on the upper portion of the drive hub. 35.and these lugs are rigidly secured to the under part of the carrier 55as by means of the screws orbolts 52.

A ring gear 55 is bolted to the central upper annular flange of thecarrier 55 and serves to transmit driving force to the wire feedingmechanism disposed in the upper partof the casing or housing 25. Thetransmission. of force from the ring gear 55 to the wire feedingelements will be but briefly described at this point, this transmissionincluding a certain de-clutching mechanism which will be described at alater point. Referring now to Figure 9 of the drawings, it will be seenthat drive gear 55 meshes with a pinion 55 rigidly carried by the lowercountershaft section 51, this portion of the countershaft being providedwith a frusto-conical part 58 seated in a similar part of the hollowsuspension bearing 59, this bearing beingseated within a flanged openingin the web 22 of the housing 25 and rigidly secured therein by means ofthe screws 55 which pass through the flange 5l.

The upper end of the lower countershaft section 51 is formed into acup-like clutch portion 52 which is adapted to be engaged with anddisengaged from the mating clutch portion 55 of the upper tubularcountershaft section 61 which is carried by the depending rod or shaft55 having its upper end rotatably received within a bushing 55 providedin an opening 10 in the supporting plate 1l. This plate casting 1|comprises a multiple bearing support for the various elements of thewire feed and is secured to the inwardly extending annular flange 12 ofthe housing 25 by means of the screws 13.

Formed on the upper countershaft section 51 is a drive pinion 15 lwhichmeshes with a gear 16 rotatably carried by the lower end of the stubshaft 11 which is secured at its upper end to the web or plate casting1I by means of the nut 15 (see Figures 2 and 25). The gear 16 is keyedto a tubular extension of the smaller gear 55 which is of course alsorotatably mounted on the depending shaft 11.

The gear 55 meshes with two gears 52 and 53 which in turn meshrespectively with the idler gears 54 and 55 which are in approximatealignment with the gear 50. The idlers 54 and 55 are rotatably carriedby the depending shafts or axles 55 and 51 which are respectivelysecured by means of the nuts 55 and 55 to the plate 1|. The idlers 54and 55 mesh respectively with the gears 95 and 5I as indicated in Figure4.

Reference to Figures 1, 2, 4, 23, and 24 will clearly establish therelationship of these several transmission gears and will also afford aclear understanding of the mounting thereof and their association withthe wire feeding elements. Although Figure 23 is a section takentransversely through the mating gears and disks of the rst wire feedunit. this ilgure may be taken as a generalized view of all four pairsof matingwire feeding members which comprise the constant speedfeed. Thegear 55 is fixed upon the lower end of the vertical stub shaft on axle52 and rigidlysecuredtotheupperendofthisshaftisthe feed wheel 99, thiswheel being provided with a 'feeding flange ordisk portion 94 theperiphery thereof being provided with a groove Il. This flange or wheelportion 94 is adapted to rotate in co-operation with the periphery ofthe smooth flange 95 of a mating wheel or disk element Il iixed to theshaft 91 which is disposed in parallel relation with the shaft 92. todraw the wire forwardly from the supply.

. Upon the lower endof the shaft l1 there is fixed the gear 99 whichmeshes with the gear Il and is driven thereby. Adjacent the shaft 92 thesupporting web plate or casting 1| is provided with a hollow bossportion |09 within which the shaft 92 is adapted to rotate. Bearingbushings such as indicated at |42 are provided between the shaft and theopening in the boss |90 and end washers |93 are also provided at the topand bottom of this boss section. 'I'he shaft 92 is'nanged as at toprovide a shoulder to prevent longitudinal movement thereof. A washer|00 provided with a dust seal flange is disposed between the flange |05and the feeding wheel Il.

The shaft 91 which carries the gear Il and the feeding wheel 95 isrotatably mounted within the eccentric bushing ||0, suitable bearingbushings and washers being employed and given the same referencenumerals as the corresponding elements used in connection with the shaft92.

The eccentric bushing III is mounted within the hollow boss of thesupporting plane 1| and a bearing bushing ||2 .intervenes therebetween.The upper portion of the member ||I is provided with a flange ||4 uponwhich an angular arm ||5 is formed. The bushing ||4 is rotatably securedwithin the boss by means of the nut or locking ring H5 and the washerand eotter arrangement ||1. The eccentricity of the mounting is clearlyapparent in Figure 24.

As already mentioned, the same mating gears and feed wheels are repeatedat the four points across the upper portion of the stapler housing asclearly indicated in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings, the additionaldriven gears associated with the grooved feed wheels being designated|20, |2| and |22', these gears mating respectively with the gears 82 and93 and 9|. in the same manner as the two gears S0 and Il. Similarly byreference to Figure 3 of the drawings it will be understood how therespective pairs of feed wheels and connecting shafts are arranged,these elements being given the same designations as those in the firstpair already described.

As indicated in Figures l and 2 of the drawings a bracket is bolted asat |25 to the housing 25 of the stapler I0 and this bracket carries anaxle |21 upon which is rotatably mounted a reel |28 carrying a supply ofwire W. The wire is threaded through a tubular eye |30 screwed into orotherwise fixed in an opening in the wall of the housing 25 and alignedwith the bites of the feed wheels 94 and 95 of the wire feedingmechanism. Mounted upon posts |3| secured to bosses formed on thesupporting plate 1| is the stationary wire supporting and guiding device|32 which bridges the gaps between the successive feeding rollers ordisks. The guide plate assembly consists of a lower plate |94 and anupper plate which is clamped thereto by means of the screws |35. Thelower plate |34 is centrally grooved as at |39 as clearly shown inFigure 3 of the drawings and both plates are narrowed and cut away toaccommodate the pairs of feeding rollers. this being `indicated in 8Figure23oftbe' wings. ThewireWisf alongthegrooveIllbythesueoessivepairso feed rollers and it emerges from the feed plateassembly |I2, at the point |40. at which point it cornes within thecontrol of an intermittent feed device which will be presentlydescribed.

The successive pairs of feed rollers and tbe guide plates |02 comprisethe eential portions of the constant speed wire feed for pulling thewire supply from the reel |20 and feeding it to the intermittentforwarding device to be described. An important feature of this sectionof the machine resides in the fact that the two right-hand sets of pairsof feed. rollers I4' and 95 are veryslightly larger than the lefthandpairs of feed rollers 94 and 95. The difference in n size, however. istoo small to be apparent from the drawings. Since all four sets ofrollers are driven at the same speed, it will be at once perceived thatthe wire will tend to be very slightly stretched or tautened between thetwo central pairs of said rollers within the portion of the groove |00designated |39 in Figure'3. Thisarrangement serves to maintain the wireunder tension and eifectively removes even the slightest kinks ordistortions which may be present in the wire, for examplel such as itmight have acquired from having been wound upon the reel |28.

Returning now to Figures 2 and 23 of the drawings it will be seen'thateach of the crank arms ||5 is formed on one of the eccentric bushingswhich support the shafts 91, upon the respective upper and lower ends ofwhich are secured the feed disks or rollers 95 and the gears 09. It willbe apparent that slight angular movements of the arms ||5 will, byrotating the eccentric bushings ||0, cause the smooth-periphery feedwheels 95 to release their grip upon the wire which is clamped betweenthese wheels and the grooved mating wheels 94, and will release thefrictional bite on the wire. Each of the arms ||5 is bifurcated as at|43 and straddles the longitudinally adjustable rod or shaft |45. Oneend of this shaft |45 is received within the hollow boss |40 formed uponthe casing 25. A stop abutment |41 is threaded into this boss andprovides means for limiting the movement of the shaft |45 to the rightin Figure 2. A set screw |40 threaded into the boss |35 projects into agroove or slot |49 in the rod |45 and prevents rotation of the rod |45.

The left-hand end of the rod |45 is threaded as at |50 and is screwedinto the open threaded end of a rotatable cylindrical member |5|. Themember |5| is received in a boss |52 formed on the housing wall 25 andis held against longitudinal movement therein between the handle or knob|54 and the nut |55. It will thus be read ily seen that rotation of theknob |54 which is pinned as at |56 to the bushing or sleeve |5I, willcause the rod |45 to move in the direction of its length, by virtue ofthe threaded connection between the portion |50 of the rod and theinternally threaded bushing lil.

At proper intervals along the rod |43 there are secured the stop sleeves|50, an additional stop |59 being provided beyond the right-'hand crankarm ||5. Slidably mounted on the rod |45 are the sleeves or collars |60and these are adapted to contact the left-hand face of the bifurcatedportion |42 of the crank arms ||5. Between each of the fixed stopsleeves |50 and the slidable collars |50 there are disposed the coilsprings |5|. It will thus be seen that the springs |9|willtendtourgethecrankarms iiiina iclock-wise direction as viewed inFigure 2 and cause the eccentrically mounted wire feeding disks orwheels 88 to resiliently bear upon the wire W occupying the shallowgrooves 88 in the feed wheels 84. This spring pressure may be applied,released, or adjusted by rotation of the knob |84 which will cause thefixed abutment sleeves |88 to advance or retract with relation to thecrank arms ||5. 'Thus the gripping presslire of the feed wheels may bereleased during the threading of the wire through the feed device or atany other desired or necessary time.

Also. during threading of the wire into the feed device, or upon otheroccasions, it may be found necessary to operate the feedwheels slowly orintermittently through manual means. A device for accomplishing thispurpose is associated with the top cover or lid which is applied to thestapler housing 28. This cover or closure comprises the dome-likeelement |65 shown in Figure 1 which has a flanged sealing contact as at|88 with the upper rim of the housing 25. The cover |85 is hinged to thehousing as shown in Figure 2. Spaced ears or lugs |81 are formed in thetop plate or partition 1| of the housing and between each pair of theselugs there are pivotally mounted upon the pintles |88 the hinge arms |58formed on the under side of the cover- |85.

At a point directly above one of the vertical shafts or axles 82,preferably the one which carries the gear 88 and one of the feed rollers84', there is provided in the cover |88 a hollow boss through whichprojects a pin |1| having a downwardly facing cup-like socket portion|12 having its walls notched as at |18 to interlock with thecorresponding projections |14 in the nut |15 which is keyed to the upperend of the shaft 82. Fixed to the upper end of the pin or shaft |1| isthe crank handle |11 by means of which, when the lid or cover |85 islowered, the socket may be depressed and engaged with the nut |15 andthe shaft 82 may be rotated manually to feed the wire between the fourpairs of feed wheels, while the drive from the conveyor is idle. The hubof the crank handle |11 is hollow and may slide vertically with theshaft |1|, against the resilient pressure of a spring |1| A whichnormally serves to keep the crank and socket in raised inoperativeposition. This is possible by virtue of the one-way or over-runningnature of the clutch 82 (Figure 9) interposed between the upper andlower sections 51 and 81 of the counter shaft which forms a part of thewire feed transmission.

As related earlier, the actual stapling mechanism A comprises theturn-table 50 which carries a plurality (in this case four) ofindividual stapling members B which move around the semicircular path ofthe containers Z as they pass through the machine. Each of these staplerunits is supplied with the proper length of wire to form one staple,this length being cut off from the wire supply W as each successive unitpasses a wire receiving station. Now in order to insure that the properlength of wire is fed into the individual units quickly while they aremomentarily at the wire receiving station, and to prevent projection orfeeding of the wire toward the path of the units while-a succeeding unitis coming into position, provision must be made for converting thesteady constant speed feed of the wire W by means of the feed rollersjust described., into an intermittent feed timed to project a length ofwire into the stapler unit at the proper instant and to withhold thesupply until the next unit is in receiving position. This intermittentfeed is accomplished by the mechanism now to be described. In line withthe direction of feed of the wire by the feed rollers 84, 85 there is`provided an opening |88 (Figure 3) in the wall of the housing 28.Secured to the exterior face of the housing and covering this opening isa supplemental casing or sheath |8| (Figure 1) which may be made ofsheet metal and is bulged slightly for a purpose to be described. Thesheath extends downwardly along the outer surface of the housing andterminates in the vicinityof the stapling mechanism A.

Within this sheath there is suspended a somewhat flexible tube |82 thelower end of which is substantially fixed adjacent the delivery point ofthe wire to the stapler units. The upper end of the tube is carried byan oscillating support which is adapted to be moved to and from thepoint |40 at which the continuous length of wire W passes from thecontrol of the constant speed wire feed.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings it will beseen that the upper end of the tube |82 is fixedly securedwithin theblock |84 as by means of the welded flanges |85. The block |84 isswiveled, to accommodate rotation in a vertical plane, upon the needlebearings |88 which are threaded through and locked to the side walls ofthe hollow depending portion |81 of the T-shaped bracket |88. Thebracket |88 is suspended from a parallel motion which comprises thehorizontal pair of arms |80. Each of these arms is pivotally connectedwith the bracket |88 by means of the pintle bolts I 8|.

Rising from' the partition plate 1| is a double hollow boss |88 oneportion of which is prolonged downwardly beneath the plate 1| as at |84.Bee Figures 2 and 5. One of the arms |88 has its cylindrical end |85keyed to a shaft |88 which is rotatably received within one portion ofthe boss |88. A similar cylindrical lportion is formed on the other armand is keyed to a longer shaft |81 which extends rotatably through thelower boss portion |84. Fixed upon the lower end of the shaft |81 is theangular crank arm |88, the free end of which is provided with a camfollower roller |88 which is adapted to follow the peripheral camsurface 200 formed on the element 88 of the counter shaft 51, 81. Inorder to maintain the cam follower in contact with the cam surface 200the cylindrical hub portion |88 of one of the arms |80 (preferably theone which is carried by the elongated shaft |81), is provided with anarm 20| which is connected by a spring 282 with a fixed point 208 on theplate 1|. By this means the tube carrying bracket |88 is urged towardthe constant speed delivery point |48 to the position shown in Figuresl, 6, and 7 of the drawings.

Recalling that the lower end of the wire carrying tube |82 is relativelystationary. it will be readily understood that by the action of the cam200 the bracket |88 which supports the upper end of the tube |82 isoscillated back and forth in the direction of the length of the wiresupply W, the bulged part of the casing |8| accommodating this movementof the relatively flexible tibe. Obviously this displacement toward theright in Figures l, 2, and 3 of the drawings, will have the effect ofelongating the total path of the wire from the receiving point |40 tothe delivery point avances ment of the wire carrying tube |32 towardthe,

right at a speed equivalent to the rate of movement of the wire due tothe feed rollers 24', 3,5 will have the net effect of causing the lowerend oi the wire adjacent the stapler units to remain stationary. Thenupon return movement of the upper end of the tube carried by the bracket|33 to the point |40, the wire will be quickly fed into the properlypositioned stapler unit.

The lower end of the tube |52 (Figure 18) is flxedly secured within ablock 205 which is pivotally supported upon the needle bearings 255which are carried by the two side brackets 2 01 which may be castintegrally with the insertable housing section 2|0 which is attached inany suitable way to the main housing 25 at the lower righthand cornerthereof as viewed in Figure l. From the mouth of the tube |32 in thelower end thereof the wire W passes through an opening 2|| in the guideblock 2|2 which is rigidly secured between the side frames 201, as forexample by means of the bolts 2 |3. Within the forward end of theopening 2|| there is situated a hardened steel bushing 2|5 whichcooperates with a part of each of the successive stapling units inshearing off the required length of wire to form a staple.

The staplingmechanism itself will now be described by reference toFigures 1 and 11 to 22 inclusive. The turn-table or carrier member 55(Figure 1) is provided with four circumferentially spaced openingswithin which are rotatably secured the stub crank shafts 225 (Figure 12)upon the lower end of each of which is formed the body portion 22| of astapler unit which is of the general top plan configuration shown inFigure 14 of the drawings. To the lower part of this body portion 22|there is secured, as by means of the screws or bolts 222, an outsideformer which comprises the combined shear and gripping member and isdesignated generally by the reference numeral 225. This member as bestshown in Figure 16 of the drawings comprises two side portions 226connected by a lower bridging web 221. Between these side bars 226 ofthe member 225 and within the space provided between the lower part ofthe body portion 22| and the web 221, there is disposed the slidingdriver element 23|. This element comprises a forwardly disposedplate-like portion 23| and a rearward bifurcated block portion 232between the forks of which is rotatably disposed a cam following roller233 rotatable upon the axle 234. T'he driver member 230 is adapted toslide between the side arms of the member 225 within the limits ofmovement permitted by the reciprocation of the head 235 of a studthreaded into the bottom of the member 23|), which head is adapted tomove within the slot 231 formed in the web 221 of the member 225. Inorder to urge the member 235 rearwardly-toward its retracted position acoil spring 235 has one of its ends seated in a socket 235 in theforward part of the body portion 22|of the unit. The rear end of thespring sits in a socket 24| formed in the block 232 of the member 235.

To the upper end of each of the crank shafts 220 which rotatably supportthe stapler units there is clamped, as at 242, the crank arm 245, uponthe outer end of which is carried a roller 246 which follows the camgroove 241 formed in the cam plate 248 bolted as at 249 to the underside of the partition 22, all of which is clearly shown in Figure 13 ofthe drawings. In this figure stapler units B are shown in each of thefour quarter positions or stations I, II, III, and IV. Figure 13 isarranged in the same orientation as Figure 2 and it will be seen thatstation I is disposed between the straight portions of the containerconveyor track where no containers are presented to the staplingmechanism. At station II the stapler units B are broughtv into operativeposition with respect to a container Z which is at that point beginningits semi-circular path around the track Il within the operative zone -ofthe stapler. When the stapler unit B reaches station III the staple isdriven into the rib R of the container Z, and when the unit reachesstation IV the operation has been completed and the stapled containerpasses from the semi-circular portion of the track onto the straightdelivery portion.

It will be noted that the cam track 241 from station II to station IV issubstantially semicircular and there is no relative swinging movement ofthe stapler units B about -the axis of their supporting crank shafts225. the units maintaining their radial position with respect to themachine. However. from station IV through station I to station II.the'cam track 241 departs from its semi-circular shape and provides apath for the cam following rollers 245 of the units B which will swingeach unit upon its cranks 225 so that the long axes of the successiveunits are disposed transversely of a radius of the machine instead of inaugment therewith. 'Ihe purpose of this arrangement will appear as thedescription proceeds.

When a stapler unit B is disposed at station I in Figure 13, it is inthe position to have the wire W fed to it from the tube |52 through themouth of the opening 2|'I in the feed block 2|2, the general positionbeing shown in Figure 14 of the drawings and successive movements pastthe station I being clearly shown in Figures 18, 19, 20. and 21.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 15 and 18. it will be seenthat there is provided, beneath the path of the stapler unit B, aninside former which comprises a swinging anvil or holding lever and isdesignated generally by the numeral 253. This lever is pivotally mountedupon a pintle 25| secured in the housing insert casting 2|l and has itsangled forward portion 252 urged upwardly by the spring pressed plug 253seated in a socket 254 formed in the portion 255 of the housing. Anabutment lug 255 is threaded in the rear portion of this member 255 andserves as a stop which limits the downward portion of the tail 251 ofthe inside former 255.

'Ihe upwardly directed forward end 252 of the inside former 255 isslotted as at 25| to receive the end portion of the wire W when it isfed through the feed block 2|2, as most clearly shown in Figure 18 ofthe drawings.

Referring again to Figures 16 and 17 of the drawings it will be seenthat the forward ends of the side blocks 225 of the outside former 225of the stapler unit are provided with the V- shaped notches 252, and theinner walls of the forward parts of the portions 223 are also providedwith the grooves 253 of the gauge of the wire W. 'I'he side walls of theplate portion 23| of the sliding driving member 233 are also grooved asat 254 adJacent the grooves 253 of the member 225. The forward edge ofthe plate 23| of the driver is provided with a groove or notch 255 of apeculiar configuration, the central portion of the notch 255 beingsomewhat wider and deeper Vthan the end portions thereof. `Also ahardened steel shear-plate insert 266 is secured to the side wall of theside bar 226 of the former 226 to cooperate with the hardened tubularinsert 2|5 set in the feed block 2|2, in severing the wire.

In Figure 19, the unit B is shown at the point where the cooperatingshearing portions 2 I5 and 266 are cutting off the length of wirefrom-the supply W as the unitpasses the feed block 212. At this instantthe groove 266 in the forward end 252 of the inside former 256 is. insubstantial alignment with the notches 262 in the forward ends of theside bars 226 of the outside former 226. As the unit B continues toadvance past the cut-off station, the laterally spaced side bars 226move forwardly with relation to the inside former 256 and serve to bendthe ends of the staple w forwardly, the intermediate portion being heldwithin the notch 266 of the anvil lever. The legs of the staple w thenoccupy the forward portions of the groove 283 in the inner side walls ofthe stapler unit outside former 225. Thus the staple is formed, asclearly shown in Figure 26 of the drawings.

From this point onward, the sloping cam-like forward edge 210 of the webportion 221 of the member 225 engages the inclined inner edge of theforward portion 252 of the inside former 256 and cams it downwardlyagainst the pressure of the spring pressed plunger 253 and removes theanvil from engagement with the formed staple. This is most clearly shownin Figure 15 of the drawings. f

By appropriate shaping of the cam 241 the stapler unit B is swung ortilted somewhat as shown in Figure 21 so that it will readily clear thecut-off or feed block 2|2 wherein the wire supply W is held stationaryby the outward movement of the intake end of the intermittent feed tube|62 in the upper part of the machine. Thus the staple w is carriedbetween the arms 226 of the unit to position II where the unit B hasbeen swung around to its radial position and the staple w brought intojuxtaposition with the rib R of a container Z to which it is to beapplied.

Associated with each of the stapling units B and likewise carried by theturn-table or carrier 56 are individual clincher devices C whichcooperate with the staple driver element on the units B by backing upthe staple on the remote or outer side of the rib B of the container,and these devices C are adapted to be brought into and released fromtheir operative positions as the stapler members B are respectivelymoved to stations III and I, shown in Figure 13. Referring also toFigures 27 and 28, it will be seen that, at points on the periphery ofthe carrier 56 adjacent the stapler units there are provided lugs orears 215 through which a hinge pintle 216 extends and is held againstrotation. The pintle carries upon its ends the ears 211 of the clincherelement C which straddle the projecting ear 215 of the carrier member. Aspring element 286 is coiled about each end of the pintle 216 and theintermediate portion of the spring 28| is received within a groove orslot 282 in the inner side of the member C. The ends of the spring 286are received within the notches 283 in the ends of the pintle 216 andthe spring is initially tensioned to urge the member C outwardly andupwardly toward the position shown at the right-hand side of Figure 1 ofthe drawings and approximately to the position shown at the top ofFigure 11.

Each of the clincher elements C is provided with a cam follower roller286 carried upon the bolt or pin 266 seated in the member C. Secured tothe end of the member C is the clincher plate 269. as by means oi thescrews 268. The forward inwardly directed operative edge of the clincherplate 266 is notched to receive the hard metal inserts 296 and thisforward edge o1' the plate is adapted, at station III to contact theouter face of the rib R of the container Z upon which the stapler is tooperate. This is shown clearly in Figure 12 of the drawings. There iscarried by the turn-table 56 an annular ring 292 which has a downwardlyprojecting flange 293, providing shoulders against which the rib R ofthe containers is guided during the semi-circular path of the containersthrough the operating zone of the machine.

Carried upon the bottom edge 295 of the housing'25 is a generallycircular cam member 296 which has its inwardly facing surface 291 formedwith camming areas indicated at 291a, 291b and 291e (see Figure 11). Thecam element 296 may be broken away in the vicinity of station I as at296a since the clincher elements C are in their raised idle positions atthis point and their outwardly and upwardly swinging movement is limitedby the abutment indicated at 298 in Figure 1. The operative cam edge291e against which the roller 285 bears during the actual clinchingoperation, may be supplied by a hardened wear resisting insert 2961which may be secured to the main cam member 296 as by means of thescrews 296e.

Surrounding the central vertical hollow post 26 of the stapler (Figures1, 11, and 12) and disposed between the upper end of the rotary hub 36and the turn-table 56 there is fixed, as by means of a set screw 366, aring or collar 36|, this collar being horizontally slotted upon onesegment thereof as at 362, in order to receive the cam lever 365 whichis pivoted to a collar by means of the pin 366. The free end of the camlever is urged outwardly by means of the coil spring 361 seated in asocket in the collar. The cam arm or lever 365 is provided with anopening 366 which receives a pin 369 set in the collar 36|, the pin andopening serving to limit the movement of the cam arm in both directions.The surface 3| 6 of the cam lever 365 is curved or rounded to provide anapproach'and departure surface and an intermediate node which is adaptedto be ,contacted by the roller 233 of the staple driving member 236, asclearly shown in Figures 11 and l2 of the drawings.

The operation of the stapler mechanism will now be clearly understoodfrom the elements which have been described. At station II the rib R ofthe bottle or container Z is brought into contact with the annular guidering 292 and remains in contact therewith throughout the semi-circularpath through the machine. This ring provides inward and upward limitingsurfaces for the top of the container. Then as the roller 285 of theclincher C advances along the cam surface 291a in leaving station II theclincher C is swung downwardly toward a vertical position and the innerface o1' the clincher plate 288 is brought into contact with the outerside of the container rib R, the hardened inserts 296 being disposed atpoints where the staple will come through the rib. As station III isapproached by the stapler unit B,

the cam roller 233 of the driver member 236 rides the side bars 266 ofthe element 2.25 of the unit B. The configuration of slot or groove 255in the face of the driver is such that the cross bar is very slightlybowed so as to cause the legs of the stapler w to toe inwardly to aslight degree to prevent any accidental outward splaying of the staplein passing through the rib. The resilient cam 305, 3|0, causes thedriver 235 to give a resilient blow ,which drives the staple through therib R and at the same time the points of the staple striking the inserts290 on the clincher plate 255 are caused to be clinched inwardly againstthe outer face of the rib R. As the clincher C passes along the camsurface 2511 in approaching station IV, it is allowed to swing outwardlyand upwardly away from the container rib, and the container is thusfreed for passage out of the machine along the straight delivery run ofthe conveyor track At this point the stapler unit B begins to swing toits transverse tangential or chordal position which it assumes atstation I in order to receive another length of wire and form a staple.

Another feature of the novel stapling machine comprises interruptermeans whereby no wire will be fed to a stapler unit B passing station Iif there is no container Z to occupy this position on the conveyor. Toaccomplish this purpose there is provided alongside of the straightapproach section of the conveyor track a pivoted arm 3|5, the pivotedpin of this arm being indicated at 3|6 and passing through the tubularbearing bosses 3|'| and 3|6 provided on the base casting I2. (SeeFigures 1, 2, 10, and 26.) The arm 3|5 comprises a slotted stub portion3|5A to which a contact blade 3|5B is adjustably secured as by means ofthe bolts 3|5C. The end of the rod or shaft 3|5 within the base castingis provided with a crank arm 320 the free end of which isconnected bymeans of a rod 32| to a crank 322 secured to the lower end of thevertical axial rock shaft 325 which passes through the hollow interiorof the central post 20 of the machine. Secured by means of the screws326 to the upper end of the post 20 is the bearing plate 321 throughwhich the r upper end of the rod or shaft 325 passes (see Figures 8, 9,and To this upper end of the shaft 325 there is fixed a crank 328 whichcarries a roller 330 at its free end. This crank 325 with its roller 330is directed toward the clutch assembly which connects the two parts 51and 61 of the countershaft which drives the wire feed. The cupped upperportion 62 of the lower shaft portion 51 surrounds an inner member 335which is rotatably disposed upon the depending rod 63. 'I'he outerperipheral wall of the member 335 is provided with a notch 336 whichprovides a shoulder 331 which functions as a ratchet tooth within whichthe pawl 338 is normally disposed. The pawl is pivotally carried by themember 52 by means of the pin 339. The tail 340 of the pawl is urgedoutwardly by means of the plunger 34| which is resiliently pressed bymeans of the spring 342 seated in a socket 343 in the member 52. Thetail 340 of the pawl is also provided with a rounded protuberance 345which normally, during the rotation of the part 62, clears the roller335.

However, when a container Z is missing from the approach portion of thetrack and the detector arm 3|5 is allowed to move inwardly across thetrack under the urging of the spring 346, the crank 320 moves outwardlyto the dotted line position 320' in Figure 10 and the other transmissionelements 32|, 322, 3.25, and 325 are also rotated to their dotted linepositions whereupon the roller 335 is brought into the path of theprotuberance 345 on the pawl 335 and the pawl is tripped, withdrawingits operative end from the ratchet shoulder 331 of the inner member 335.Thus the drive from the lower portion 51, 52 of the countershaft and thedriven member 335 is broken and the driven end of the countershaft 55.51 is idle. 'I'hus both the constant and intermittent feed mechanism forthe wire W is interrupted until a container again moves the detector on3I5 outwardly to its full line position shown in Figure 10.

In order to eliminate the possibility of shock of starting, stopping,operating, or interrupting the wire feed drive, a resilient transmissionsection is introduced in the countershait assembly. The inner element335 oi' the interruptor clutch is providedwith a widened upper flangeportion 355 which is provided in its overhanging portion with a seriesof spaced slots 35|. Projecting downwardiy from the clutch member 55,which also provides the cam element 255, are a series of arcuate lugs352 which conform substantially to one end portion of the slots 35| inthe ange 355, but are of considerably less arcuate extent to providespace for the coil springs 355 which urge the lugs 352 toward theforward ends of the slots. Thus the drive is through the flange 355, thespring 355, and the lug 352 in transmitting the driving force from themember 335 to the member 55.

The member 335 is carried rotatably upon the lower portion of thevertical shaft or axle 55, a nut 351 being threaded upon the shaft and abearing washer '355 being interposed between the nut and the member 335,both of these elements being received within a central recess in theelement 335.

In order to dispose the stapler device adiustably within the bight ofthe chain conveyor 45, and to take up any minor slackness in the chainslthe pedestal member i5 is adjustably mounted upon the base casting |2.Reference to Figure 1 of the drawings will disclose that there isprovided a depending projection 355 on the inner side of the basecasting at the right-hand side of the pedestal block I5. Threadedthrough this projection is an adjusting bolt 35| provided with a locknut 362 and adapted to abut the fiat surface 354 on the vertical stemportion |5 of the pedestal. It will be readily seen that adjustment ofthe bolt 35| will move the pedestal and thus the whole stapler amemblyin the plane of the figure and vthis will result in tautening orslackening the conveyor mechanism. The pedestal |5 is guided in itsadjusting movement by means of the pins 355 which are set in the basecasting |2 upon opposite sides of the opening I3 which receives thepedestal I5. Elongated slots 355 are formed in the underside of thepedestal flange to receive the pins 355 and thus guide the pedestal.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the embodimentillustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined by the sub-Joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A stapling machine of the class described comprising, in combination,a conveyor for carrying articles to be stapled through the machine.stapling mechanism movably carried by the machine and arranged to followthe movement of an article through the machine while operating upon it,means for moving said mechanisms, and a driying connection between saidlast named means and said conveyor; whereby the power for operating thestapling mechanism is derived from the conveyor itself.

carried :by the machine and arranged to follow?` the movement oi' anarticle through the machine while operating upon it, means for movingsaid mechanisms, means for supplying wire to said staple forming andapplying mechanism, and driving connections between said two last namedmeans and said conveyor, whereby the power for operating the machineisderived from the conveyor itself.

3. A stapling machine of the class described comprising, in combination,a conveyor for carrying articles to be stapled through the machine,means for driving said conveyor` at a uniform speed, a plurality ofstaple forming and applying mechanisms movably carried by the machineand each arranged to follow the movement of an article through themachine while operating upon it, means for moving said mechanisms, meanson the machine for feeding wire to said staple forming and applyingmechanisms, driving transmission means from said conveyor to both ofsaid two last named means, and means in the transmission to said wirefeeding means for interrupting the drive of the latter in the event ofthe absence oi'` an article to be stapled at the appropriate point onsaid conveyor.

4. A stapling machine of the class described comprising, in combination,a conveyor for carrying articles to be stapled through the machine, theApath of the articles while in the zone of operation of the machine beingan arc of a circle, a plurality of stapler units carried by saidmaanimas 18 y ing articles to be stapled through the machin the path oithe articles while in the zone of operation of the machine being acircular arc of approximately 180, a plurality of stapler units carriedby said machine and mounted to revolve in a substantially circular pathpart oi' which coincides with the arc of movement of said articles, therespective units adapted to meet and accompany the successive articlesupon the conveyor as they enter the machine and to drive their staplesat about the midpoint of said 180 arc, means for supplying wire to theunits at about the mid-point of the remaining 180 arc of the generallycircular path of the units, means for causing each stapler unit to severthe required length of wire and form an open staple before for rotationabout a vertical axis, a plurality of stapler units swivelled on thecarrier for horizontal revolution about said axis in a substantiallycircular orbit, an arcuate path through the machine substantiallyfollowing the orbit of said stapler units but o! less than a completecircle,

chine and mounted to revolve in a substantially circular path part ofwhich coincides with the arc of movement of said articles, therespective umts adapted to meet and accompany the successive articlesupon the conveyor as they enter the machine and to drive their stapleswhile the paths 4of the units and articles coincide, means for supplyingwire to the units at a portion of their endless path remote from thepathof the conveyor, and means for causing each stapler unit to sever therequired length of wire and form an open staple before again approachingthe arcuate path of the articles. 5. A stapling machine of the classdescribed comprising, in combination, a conveyor for carrying articlesto be stapled through the machine, the path of the articles while in thezone of operation of the machine being a circular arc of approximately180, a plurality of stapler units carried by said machine and mounted torevolve in a substantially circular path part of which coincides withthe arc of movement of said articles, the respective units adapted tomeet and accompany the successive articles upon the conveyor as theyenter the machine and to drive their staples at about the mid-point of180 arc, means for supplying wire to the units at about the mid-point ofthe remaining 180 arc of the generally circular path of the units, andmeans for causing each stapler unit to sever the required length of wireand form an vopen staple before again approaching the arcuate path ofthe articles. a 6. A stapling machine of the class described comprising.in combination, a conveyor for carrymeans for moving said articlessuccessively along` said path, each of said lstapler units comprising adriver element adapted to drive. a staple through one of said articlesand against said clincher unit at a point on the coincident portions ofsaid path and orbit, said stapler units and said driving elements eachhaving a cam follower thereon, a cam track for causing the said units toswivel from a. radial stapling position to a transverse wire receivingposition, cam track for causing the driver elements to drive a staplethrough an article, and means for driving said wire and said articlemovingmeans in synchronism.

8. A stapling machine of the class described, comprising, incombination, a carrier mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, aplurality of stapler units swivelled on the carrier for horizontalrevolution about said axis in a substantially circular orbit, an equalnumber of clincher units each hinged on said carrier for swingingmovement to and from clinching position with respect to one of saidstapler units, an arcuate path through the machine substantiallyfollowing the orbit of said stapler units but of less than a completecircle, means for moving said articles successively along said path,each of said stapler units comprising a driver element adapted to drivea staple through one of said articles and against said clincher unit ata point on the coincident portions of said path and orbit; said staplerunit, said clincher units, and said driving elements each having e, camvfollower thereon, a cam track for causing the said units to swivel froma radial stapling position to a transverse wire receiving position, a,cam for causing the clincher units to swing to and away from clinchingposition and a cam track for causing the driver elements to drive astaple while one of said clincher units is in operative position, andmeans for driving said carrier and said article moving means insynchronism.

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